Hot stove banquet coming up
Posted on January 8th, 2009 – 11:13 AMBy La Velle
A few years ago, the Twins met with local baseball writers to brainstorm on how to have a pre-season hot stove banquet. Twins president Dave St. Peter got us together with the Minnesota Medical Foundation, and the Diamond Awards were born.
Since 2006, we have raised $1.7 million to help with research to cure Ataxia, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. The late Carl Pohlad stunned everyone during the first Diamond Awards when he donated $500,000. You don’t have to look far to come across someone who has been affected, or has a loved one affected, by one of these conditions.
It’s a good time. We hand out awards (Most Valuable Twin, Twins Outstanding Rookie, the Bob Allison Twins Leadership Award, etc.). We talk about the upcoming season. We eat! There’s a silent auction (one of the items for auction is a day with me at the ballpark). You get to see your favorite sportswriters in tuxedos. And all the award winners – Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Alexi Casilla, Joe Nathan, Ben Revere ,Anthony Slama and others – have agreed to attend.
The banquet takes place Jan. 22 at the City Center Marriott. The tickets aren’t cheap - $150.00 – but part of the cost is tax deductible and is for a good cause. If you can’t make it, stay tuned for details when the event will be aired on Fox Sports North.
As the chairman of the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, I am proud to be part of this event and would love to see some of you there. A link to the event is now at the top of the blogroll on the right. If you can’t make it -if the economy makes it too tough this year - maybe next year.
Hopefully, there will be a couple updates later. But today will be a little tough to gather information because of Carl Pohlad’s funeral.
164 Responses to "Hot stove banquet coming up"
don’t see nicky’s name but i’m assuming he will get the “battling your tail off” award!
to pick out a stat the .280 looks ok but in 338 ab’s he had 28 rbi while everett had 20 rbi in 127 ab’s, and we know how much everyone thought of everetts hitting.
as always picking one stat out may not make a point valid.
Thanks for the heads up, LEN. The causes are worthy ones.
Great causes all Lavelle. Speaking of Bob Allison, he was one of my childhood heroes. I saw him a year or so before he was diagnosed with his disease at the Burnet Senior Tournament at Bunker Hills Golf Course. He looked great and fit as can be at the time. I hope this years event is a resounding success!
Where is that 3rd baseman we were going to get. II thought we had a bunch of money burning a hole in BS’s pocket. Ii am calling you out Mr Smith where is our 3rd baseman with power.
LaVelle…good luck with the banquet. Thanks to you, your BBWAA mates, and the Twins for doing such a worthy event.
LENIII, Any report from BS why the Twins have not done anything this offseason, or is Reusse right in saying that he is hiding?
We could throw a banquet to earn money to pay for a new high quality FA
Smith kept track of the nickels when he was Terry Ryan’s right-hand man in the baseball operation. He carried the nickname “Mr. No,” based on his response to most spending requests over which he had authority.
Now in his second offseason as the general manager, Smith is working on another nickname: “Mr. Invisible.”
If someone wins a day with you at the ballpark, is that on an off day?
Just saw that the Red Sox are about to sign Smoltz and Baldelli according to the USA Today.
Another pitching option I would have liked to have seen here gone.
Walter Johnson says:
January 8th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
If someone wins a day with you at the ballpark, is that on an off day?
it all depends on if that person is someone you would want to spend a day at the park with. See the way I look at it is if you wouldn’t normally spend a day with that person and if it makes it more of a chore then no I wouldn’t calll it an off day
I bet Billy Boy Smith dressed as the ever elusive Dick Cheney last Halloween….Hiiiiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyoooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Smoltz is out until at least June and is still getting a 5.5 mil base. Why exactly would the Twins pay for that?
The longer this drags on tho, there is no excuse why both Orlando Hudson (move Casilla to SS) and Ty Wigginton should not be pursued. I think they can get away without bullpen help - the kids should go longer this year and they have AAA options, but to enter ‘09 without solving SS and 3B while sitting on a mountain of cash is inexcusable.
jhawk…
I like John Smoltz, and I think that having him for the 2nd half of the year (though not at 5.5 million) here than what didn’t happen here last year when we needed another pitcher. Having him around our young pitchers in spring training, and in the clubhouse around the kids would have been a wonderful addition to the team as well.
jhawk.
I would absolutely love to see Orlando Hudson here, and I could easily live with Ty Wigginton. The Twins won’t do Hudson because they want Punto in the starting lineup, and don’t want him playing 3rd base so we are kind of stuck.
I agree with jhawk90…Don’t really see the sense in bringing Smoltz in. Why not use that same cash and get a Wigginton or Hudson. Either would be upgrades for the infield.
The more this drags on, I really don’t see this team go outside the organization for bullpen help. I am somewhat intrigued by what Crain can do this year, and somewhat intrigued by what some of those young pups LaVelle mentioned in a recent posting can maybe do if given a chance.
But to not go after Hudson or Wigginton is borderline criminal.
sane, what does DY’s age have to do with how well he did last year? It has a lot to do with his potential, but it is only an explanation for his lack of hitting.
The facts are, he wasn’t good compared to other LFers and that is part of why they didn’t win more games last year. The other teams don’t give the Twins more runs just because they use young players, do they?
He is young, it explains (perhaps) why he didn’t hit better. But, I’m not sure what his age has to do with whether or not he was productive. It may explain why he was or was not, but it does not expalin IF he was productive (unlike cherry picking stats).
LNP can’t play third??? I though LNP can do anything? The man can slide through brick wall if wanted to.
I didn’t say he couldn’t play 3rd. We all know how I feel about his ability, but he can play defensively at 3rd as well as he can anywhere else… I am saying the Twins didn’t want him playing 3rd base after the 2007 season.
Mike sane isn’t even on this blog who are you talking to?
Crede is still out there i know he’s a health risk but it’s still better then any of the gambles they made last year.
After a tiring game at the dome, does Punto finally arrive at home and slide through his front door.
Wait, Smotlz is going to make 5 mil for a half season worth of work?
I mean, the guy could be a great clubhouse presence…but a team like Boston can “afford” to have a guy making 5 mil and not actually doing anything for a while.
If they aren’t able to help their bullpen *now*, having Smotlz in June may be inconsequential.
Beneke your monijer looks different. Did you change the look or something on it.
BC (of ND): I was high on Crede for a while, but the more I read about him the more I think it’d be another Rondell.
Not to mention reports are that he (and Boras) are looking for a one-year contract someplace he can get healthy.
That’s not likely to be on turf.
Intersting article (from NY of all places): http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/just-how-slow-is-this-off-season/
Things are alike all over.
“I mean, the guy could be a great clubhouse presence…but a team like Boston can “afford” to have a guy making 5 mil and not actually doing anything for a while.”
Kind of like the T-Wolves do with Mad Dog
T Crede is only 30 and i know that back problems take a long time to heal but he’s still a lot younger then Rondell. Boras is more likely the bigger problem.
BC of ND
Crede is the guy I would like the most at 3rd base.
Holy crap, is Madsen still with the Wolves?
Madsen is still with the Wolves he doubles as an NBA bench player and as a beer vendor
BC I’d be all for bringing in a vet arm if it meant dealing a Perkins or AAA starter for an upgrade over what’s on the market (Wiggy) for the very reasons you suggest. While it’s fun and all for folks to take shots at Livan, by all accounts that vet presence is what he provided the Twins with last year in ST and during the season. Guys like Byrd, Mulder, Garland etc. are still looking for work and it’d be nice insurance having a vet innings eater.
But again, we’re talking about asking change of an organization that sat on their hands last year when a division was being handed to them, so don’t hold your breath. Another 30-40 mil (when you factor in MLB media revenue) pocketed against the stadium will do just fine for them.
Jimmy Bee…
With all the errors and having to retype it in so often it just is saving time. It’s not like anyone from here was checking out my myspace page anymore anyways so cutting back…
I am also trying to honor my word to LaVelle and calm down a little bit.
I was moving sane’s rip of me for ignoring delmon’s age (which has nothing to do if he was good, but may explain why he was or was not good) to the next thread. People keep saying he was good, I keep saying he wasn’t.
I am not attempting to explain why, or if, he ever will be, merely point out that he wasn’t when compared to other players at his position (which is the relevant comparison when trying to understand his contribution to wins and losses last year).
T…
I was just thinking about how the rotation and the pen seemed to burn out about half way through the season… knowing you could get a guy like Smoltz in June could be a boost in a lot of ways, but I did say that I wasn’t up for 5.5 million a year.
I forgot all about Mulder, and no one has mentioned anything about Pedro Martinez. I wonder where he ends up?
Beneke 4 Wolves wins in a row and Love is playing fantastic. McFail is a better coach then what he was doing before
Pedro Martinnez is washed up but I think that the Mets are going to resign him. At least I thought I heard the mets
Mike I understand your point but most people are more forgiving and have lower expectations of young players.
Hey BC B i know this is a pipe dream but how nice would it be to bring Ben Sheets in or maybe John Garland to anchor the rotation.
jhawk…
I just want to see the team improve, and status quo isn’t guarenteed to improve, and has a greater likelihood of regression.
BC of ND here is part of Patrick’s article regarding DY’s last year performance
but some of us blame it on Smith being shell-shocked after the failure of last winter’s more forceful approach.
The decision to bring back Juan Rincon failed. The minor trade for Craig Monroe failed. The major trade for Delmon Young failed. The free agent signings of Mike Lamb and Adam Everett failed immediately, and the signing of Livan Hernandez failed eventually.
BC of ND
I certainly wouldn’t complain about either of those guys.
Move Perkins to the bullpen. I think that would help the pen, but not sure it solves the problem any more than RA Dickey does (and I actually really like Perkins).
Why don’t the Twins pick up Paul Byrd. He is a crafty veteran that can be used to develope the younger players
Jimmybee i think it’s too ealry to say the Delmon trade failed what if Garza gets blown up this year and Delmon blows up a lot of people will change there tune.
BC B i think were on the same page. I know the Twins have a lot of good pitching but whats wrong with making it even stronger?
jimmy bee…
I agree that McHale is a much better coach than he is a front office person. He has also showed that he is a better coach than Wittman by far. I expected them to lose all those games at the start of McHale’s tenure… they were all great teams. But when you look at McHale’s record against mediocre teams compared to Wittman… McHale is 4-2 and Wittman was 4-10.
I like Pedro… the guy still has the guile to make it through in the middle of a rotation. I think he ends up with the Dodgers or the Angels.
whoa BC I’m in no way advocating the status quo, just expecting it. I’ve been, er, screaming into the wind about the payroll they aren’t spending ever since the ink dried on the stadium agreement.
We all think we’re experts, by my Lord when you get handed an opportunity like last year and do zip at the deadline, and now just sit there while other clubs add/get healthy in your division, it’s like the old ignorance/apathy joke. They don’t know or they don’t care.
Funny thing about Pedro is when he started with the Dodgers Tommy Lasorda went up to him and told him he would never make it in the Pro’s as a pitcher and to start looking into being a coach. I guess he was wrong. Whenever I think of Pedro’s career I almost think he was juicing during the peak years
BC (Beneke): I see what you’re saying about the rot’. I’m just thinking it may be best to invest in a full time starter rather than a half season of somebody (especially when the half season is due to age related wear and tear issues)
Jon Garland is still on the market. If I recall he’s one of the younger options out there. Though I’m guessing a lot of big money teams would likely be courting him at the moment.
I don’t recall him ever really hitting a wall. He seemed to pitch well for the Sox and Angels.
jb: I tend to take what Reusse says with a HUGE grain of salt, as he’s typical the “Doom and Gloom” “First Rat off the Sinking Ship” type of writer.
Then he’s usually the “Sunshine and Lolipops” “First Rat on the Bandwagon” type once things get turned around.
Aka: He’s basically the guy who gets hits by saying what he knows people want to hear.
I think the twins are playing it like (nearly) every other team; wait while the prices keep dropping. Not to say that they will buy ever, but so far, I cannot blame them for not buying yet. I think the price could eventually become right for Wiggy, but we will never sign any Type-A free agents, regardless of the price. I believe O-hudson is an A.
BC of ND…
I have always believed on enhancing the things you are good at, and then focusing on improving the things that are weaker areas when it comes to the individual, but I don’t know we can afford to do that on a team level.
MH: Prices have dropped quite a bit already. I think the Twins may have been just as stunned as some of us that guys like Bradley and Burrel could’ve been had as cheaply as they were.
Unfortunately there’s other things occupying the Twins org at the moment that are likely keeping them from responding as quickly as they could.
Hopefully affairs can be put in order and operations can get back to normal before too long.
T I understand exactly what you mean regarding Patrick. There was an old writer named Dan Barrero ( I think I spelled it right) that used to bother my eyes also with his articles.
I wonder if Bradley would have been a cancer to the Twins if acquired. The guy has tons of talent but just seems to be a little bit hostile in his head. Kind of Pac Man Jones like. Lawrence Phillips like etc. etc. etc…….
mike,
Delmon’s age has relevance when he is compared to the other left-fielders in an MLB ranking.
If you want to rank him with all 22-yr-old left fielders including the minor leaguers, you won’t be able to make your point.
How does Gomez rank vs ALL MLB centerfielders?
How does Gomez rank vs all 22-yr-old centerfielders?
Yes, their numbers are their numbers.
But their RANKINGS depend totally on what subset to which you compare them.
I was a great baseball player also, when I was compared to the appropriate peer group.
Compared to the best players, I was crap.
So to move someone up the rankings, just adjust the subset.
And pick THAT ranking when it proves your point.
Statistician’s choice!
And I agree that Delmon was near the bottom of MLB LF’s last year.
Just like Punto hitting .290 in ‘06 and .284 in ‘08.
Neither of those statements tell the whole story about the respective player.
I was indicating that Punto had “some” offensive value and was using BA as evidence.
I left out his SLG and RBI for the same reason you leave out Delmon’s age.
The additional information fails to help us make the point that we are trying to make.
THAT is why I quoted Punto’s BA.
sane did Punto lead ESPN in Web Gems last year
What does Delmon’s age have to do with how many wins he did or did not contribute? That’s all I care about, not whether he was better than other 22 year olds, or 45 year olds.
He played LF, not 22 year old. The choice wasn’t another 22 year old, but another LFer. I really don’t see how his age is relevant to the construct of the lineup.
But, if you can make a cogent argument to his age being relevant to the makeup of the lineup, I’m willing to learn. I really am.
btw, just reporting another instance of seeing someone else’s name and e-mail address - anyone from the Strib going to comment on this security problem?
The Twins are just waiting for Manny’s price to come down, then they will strike. 
mike,
Hypothetical:
What if you discovered that Delmon was the best (second best, whatever) 22-yr-old leftfielder in Organized Baseball.
Would you add that information into a discussion, in which you are trying to prove that LF needs to be upgraded?
I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t.
Call it cherry-picking if you like, not ALL facts are presented by BOTH sides in a discussion.(argument)
For example - political debates.
this is kind of cool. I have cut out fast food, and cut down on my soda intake… and for the first time in 10 days I have felt like a human being… It’s no excuse for some of my comments, but I do feel a lot more positive… hopefully it stays…
Smoltz not only got $5 million in base salary, he also has incentives that could give him another $5 million. Not sure what the incentives are or how easy they will be to meet, but that’s a hell of a lot of money for a partial year from him.
mike and sane - I think you both agree that the LF needs to be upgraded from a 22 year old Delmon. I think sane’s point is that a 23 year old Delmon presumably will be an upgrade from a 22 year old Delmon. That is how age is relevant from my perspective.
mike,
“construct of the lineup”?
If I understand you, this is about the Twins selecting another LF to put in the lineup last year?
What are the choices?
If the Twins have a better choice, then Delmon should be benched.
ah, see, I’m not talking about future years and whether or not the position needs upgrading. I’m ONLY talking about how he did last year. That’s all. I’m trying to debunk that he was good last year, not comment on if he will or will not be good in the future.
I still think he has a chance to be really good. I would likely not do anything at that spot, now that Burrell is gone and they can’t put Kubel in right and Span in left. My concern remains that Mauer is going to be too expensive, and Nathan is getting older. I’d rather they strike now, than wait. But I get that others don’t share my fear for those two positions being downgraded in the near term.
I think MHFESQ has it right.
The issue w/ DY’s age is important (imo) because the Twins traded for him based on potential, not necessarily banking on him putting up Ramirez-like numbers in ‘08. He’s young and, theoretically, on the upswing. He also played in a new city for a new organization. That’s tough on a lot og ugys a lot more mature than he is. I realize that doesn’t mean squat in the standings, but it is important in player evaluation.
Oy. That should be, “tough on a lot of guys . . ..” Oh, my fat fingers.
mike,
Fair enough.
Delmon was not a good LF last year.
IMO he was acceptable, if his age is factored in.
And he was better than RonDL White, Jason Tyner, Lew Ford, Josh Rabe and Darnell McDonald were in 2007.
How is that for a subset to be ranked within?
Since Delmon is so young wouldn’t we rather see an OF of Span,Gomez and Young over Span,Gomez and Cuddy? I’m not sure how Gardy is going to get playing time for both Kubel and Young next year.
Heh, yes, he was better than them, but none of them played in the majors last year. Boneyard, agreed, they did not deal for him for 1 year. That would ahve been a bad deal (and why I oppose trading one of their top 3 current starters for one year of Beltre, for example).
Look, I think we’re in general agreement, and I’m tired of this particular topic. I’d love to discuss something else while I’m on another boring work call….
BC of ND: I would rather see that OF, but Gardy sure wouldn’t, and his “druthers” are the ones that count.
“”RonDL White, Jason Tyner, Lew Ford, Josh Rabe and Darnell McDonald”"
Yeesh, that’s an ugly list put together by Terry Ryan, isn’t it?
Remarkably, though, probably of higher quality than the list of Twins third baseman since Koskie left.
Though I don’t view DY as the best fielder I have ever seen I think that his bat will develop and become lethal. I always wondered what would happen if Boggs and Gwynn were on a team together. This for me might end up being the equivalent with Mauer and DY
BC of ND
I don’t think they want to think of getting Kubel in the outfield, and I am pretty sure that with Gardy’s style of managing that if they have 5 guys… they will all get 350 ABs unless something happens injury wise
Remarkably, though, probably of higher quality than the list of Twins third baseman since Koskie left.
That argument may be like debating if you’d rather get punched in the teeth or kicked in the groin. 
Why does it almost always seem that good managers were cruddy ball players before
“I’m not sure how Gardy is going to get playing time for both Kubel and Young next year.”
By waiting for the inevitable Cuddyer injury.
USAChief…
it’s kind of sad that Koskie right now would be the equal of what we have at 3rd base.
That argument may be like debating if you’d rather get punched in the teeth or kicked in the groin.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Would I lose any teeth cause if so I will take the groin shot.
BC B your right but will 350 AB’s be enough for young players like Span, Young and Gomez to develop? Gardy more or less told us who he wants but i wouldn’t be surprised that if Gomez struggles at the plate continue this spring he’s the odd man out.
“Why does it almost always seem that good managers were cruddy ball players before”
A-Rod wont need the money when he retires.
Am I the only person who remembers Koskie taking his bat to a chair in Cleveland prior to hitting a game winning homer?
“That argument may be like debating if you’d rather get punched in the teeth or kicked in the groin.”
Here is one vote for getting punched in the teeth.
BC of ND Gomez’s glove and speed in the OF is keeping him in the lineup. My main question regarding him is why he quit trying to steal bases after the 1st half of the season was over.
JimmyBee…
You can make a comp between Mauer and Boggs or Gwynn…
I don’t get the DY part of that one…
jimmybee it’s hard to steal 1st
DY I think will hit for a very high avg someday with not so great power numbers. Those were 2 of the better high avg hitters I know of. I could have said George Brett and Wade Boggs or George Brett and Tony Gwynn.
BC of ND LOL I guess he would have to be on base to attempt to get a SB
Hey sane if your still around i have a question for you. Is it harder to teach a young kid how to be a better fielder or a better hitter?
Gwynn hit .289 1-17 as a 22-yr-old.
Boggs was in the minors. (until he was 24)
T…
I remember that…
Kirk Gibson use to do that all the time as well.
Even Mattingly blew up a few times like that… I watched a game where he struckout 3 times (I believe he only did that twice in his career), and he broke all of his bats.
“”Would I lose any teeth cause if so I will take the groin shot.”"
Would I lose either of my _____s, if so I will take the punch in the teeth.
I can still chew with false teeth.
I was very disappointed to see Gomez attempt fewer steals the second half last year. I wonder if this was a coaching recommendation to try and be more selective on attempts. For talent like Gomez, he should always have the green light to run.
Imagine with me for a moment: span, casilla, mauer, DY, morneau, kubel, gomez, punto, buscher all still together in 2010 and 2011. (it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if those last two names changed). that will be a scary team to face.
BC of ND,
“Is it harder to teach a young kid how to be a better fielder or a better hitter?”
That is TOTALLY dependant on WHAT IS PRVENTING HIM from being a good fielder or hitter.
Some problems are not correctable regarding fielding OR hitting.
with a rotation led by liriano, baker, slowey, all with 2 more years of experience.
sane…
Boggs was in the minors that long because the Red Sox had Carney Lansford playing 3rd, and Boggs’ defense was brutal when he first came up.
I am trying not to be mr. negative on Delmon Young, but I don’t see him as a high batting average guy. I am not sure he has the plate discipline to do that.
Why is it that when we talk about Delmon’s fielding, his arm never gets factored into the equation. He has one of the best arms in the game, and made every runner think twice about taking the extra base. There’s no way to quantify it exactly, but how many runs did Delmon save this year by holding runners to long singles, stopping tag-ups, etc.? Based on throws I saw him make in person, a lot.
BC,
Delmon’s plate discipline is not good, but THAT is correctable.
Ask Denard Span.
“Would I lose either of my _____s, if so I will take the punch in the teeth.
I can still chew with false teeth.”
Because you can’t chew with false _____s?
mhfesq, if they all progress and play well, I can’t see this team paying for all of those players to be together in 2011. Mauer alone will be making $20+MM a year. Kubel will be in his 2nd year of arbitration (or 3rd?), meaning if he’s good it will be in the $10MM range (and if he’s bad, who cares). Morneau will be looking for a new deal. Liriano - if he’s healthy will be a ton of money (and he won’t be giving this FO a deal). Baker and Slowey - yipes, if they are as good as Seth says they will be, no way they can sign all those players.
Or, maybe they’ll change their ways, or maybe the economy really will drive salaries down (TR made that bet at least twice, and was proved wrong both times).
sane…
good point.
Hopefully Delmon Young will have eye surgery, and get motivated by having too many OF’s like Denard Span did last year.
I honestly can’t say I was happier to be wrong in a long long time.
Dan G,
“Because you can’t chew with false _____s?”
With false b—-s, your teeth would be continually grinding.
Which given how much it will take to keep these players, maybe its ok that BS isn’t falling over himself to sign overpriced veterans?
mike - I am a big advocate of spending our money today to lock down mauer, kubel, and the pitchers. invest in our future instead of one free agent. I agree that some could be out of our price range if we do not lock them down. But I think Mauer is the only one who could really be out of our price range, as I think the rest will still be under team control.
Good point sane and if Gomez patience can be corrected look out. I think he’s playing winter ball right now does anyone know how he’s doing?
[…] Twins Insider – […]
the names are getting screwed up again on here… Mike wants to win… your info was in my box.
“With false b—-s, your teeth would be continually grinding.”
sane my cubicle neighbors are asking me why I am laughing so much from that comment
“Some problems are not correctable regarding fielding OR hitting.”
Right, sane. Anybody can hit a little. But most people could never field a hard grounder and throw out a fast runner. So I think it’ harder to teach fielding.
I think catching a major league pop up would be almost impossible to do for most people out there in todays society. But again most sports announcers say that the hardest thing in all of sports is to hit a major league curveball. I think the fielding aspect would be harder
Maybe we should all just plug La Velle’s personal e-mail in our responses? Maybe the Strib could fix this problem? Maybe they could post about it somewhere….Maybe the Twins will sign Manny.
For some of those asking about Martinez: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/latest-on-pedro.html
Cerrone also relays a Tom Verducci report from the MLB Network saying Martinez recently rejected a one-year, $7MM offer from an AL team.
Wow. Does anybody think he’s worth more years or more money given his recent history?
T…
Thanks…
I didn’t realize that at his age he was still an egghead. I don’t think that he could have hoped for 7 million at this point.
I think a third of the population can catch a fly ball, and at least 10 percent can field 1 of 2 hard grounders, but
not 1 in a thousand can even make contact with a major league fastball with 10 swings.
It’s the rare baseball player who ultimately fails due to fielding. Anyone with modest athletic skills can be taught to play a passable corner outfield, and if you can hit they’ll find a place for you to play.
It’s hitting that stops the career of almost every baseball player. It’s exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to teach. You either have the hand/eye coordination, eyesight, and fast twitch muscle to consistently put a round bat on a round ball travelling at 90 MPH, or you don’t.
USAFChief I can actually hit a ball going 90 mph but the curve mixed in with a hard 90’s fastball and I would look more foolish then Pee Wee Herman doing the cha cha
Now I tend to agree with Chief. It’s hard to hit a round ball with a round bat.
Rangers interested in Joe Crede
Let’s just say that hitting was not my specialty, and leave it at that. Frankly, I was not a good ballplayer. Soccer, squash, racquetball, downhill skiing, swimming, I’ve been good at those at different points in my life, but never at baseball.
Same with me, jimmy. I was a pretty fair college level ballplayer. Put the jugs gun on the mound and throw me 95 MPH fastballs, one after another, and I would hit .400.
Put the jugs gun on the mound, and throw me nothing but curveballs, and I’d hit .300.
Put a pitcher on the mound who doesn’t tell me ahead of time what’s coming…now that’s a different story.
And don’t get me started on changeups. They should be illegal.
I did ‘get after it’ though, my tail is completely battled off, and I was a heck of a bunter. Had I learned to slide into first, I might’ve had a career under Gardy.
Hitting a Randy Johnson Slider, a Nolan Ryan fastball, a Bert Blyleven curve, a Johan Santana Change, a Mike Scott forkfinger, or a Dwight Gooden curve… those are things that not even many of the very best baseball players in the history of the game can do consistantly…
So I am going to say hitting the curve is way harder than learning how to field…
The FO has made plenty of bad FA signings and some of them are listed above. While everyone laments the failure to add that one big free agent that will improve the team, they are ignoring the fact that it was the same front office that put the other 7 or 8 guys on the field. Most teams need to find half or more of their starters through free agency because they have no farm system, either through poor scouting, or (more likely) because they deal away all their young talent on bad trades. While I am making no excuses for Smith’s failure to pull the trigger on even one deal, I can’t say the Twins is 100% a joke. Only about 5-10%.
USAFChief…
I was a lousy baseball player, but I agree. There is nothing in the world like a pitcher that can change speeds to mess a hitter up.
I hate the change
Trade the dump butt Jimmy Bee……..
I could watch Nolan Ryan throw fastballs all day. I don’t care if every one was hit for a homer. Ryan had the most beautifully powerful pitching motion I have ever seen.
Does anyone know who throws the biggest curveball or what is the biggest break ever recorded while throwing a curveball
Walter Johnson,
Ryan’s curveball was pretty damn impressive too. That thing dropped off the table, and was only 92mph, lol.
If that man could have ever developped a 3rd pitch he could have been the absolute best pitcher that ever lived without question.
Does an eephus pitch count as a curve. Does it “break”?
A cool calm collected BC Beneke, teeth continually grinding, and Pee Wee Herman doing the cha cha. Am I in the right blog? I think I’m gonna log out and try again….
I think Ryan did become a much better “pitcher” when he was older and his velocity dropped a bit.
His relationship with Tom House has always bothered me.
I’m with you, Walter. Reusse might end up being completely justified in his criticism of Smith sitting on his hsnds this off-season, but I’m going to hold judgment until the end of the off-season. There is still plenty of time, and frankly, I can’t find a reason to get worked up about any player they have failed to sign so far. None represented any more than a marginal upgrade, and none have been bargains from what I’m hearing.
What is more impressive Nolan Ryans strike out toatal or Pete Rose’ hits record
At age 42, Ryan went 16-10, 239 IP, with a 3.20 ERA and 301 K’s.
Amazing.
ms spl total
Jimmy Bee…
Blyleven, Tom Gordon, Dwight Gooden all had BIG BREAKS on their curveballs, but it’s the tightness of the spin, and the tightness of the break for a lot of them to be great… So while those are the three that come to mind for me… a sharp break like Ryan’s was pretty absolutely devistating as well.
How about Chipper Jones for a few years? Sounds like he is not happpy now that Smoltz left, maybe Twins can make a trade? If healthy he could put up some nice numbers, I know he is 36, but it might be worth a look.
Jimmy Bee…
Nolan Ryan in my opinion.
Pete Rose was consistantly very good…
Nolan Ryan was consistantly the very best.
yep, right blog I guess. I still think there will be some significant adjustments to the team before opening day, and I agree with the birdofprey and others who are not worked up about any of the players that we may have “missed”. And, I still think there will be a peronall move of some type that will be surprising. Just a gut feeling, and I’ll be the first to admit if I’m wrong.
I’m having a hard time believing right now that is going to be warm enough to play baseball in 3 1/2 months.
Steve H. Isn’t Chipper making about 14 million a year on top of being 36?
Walter Johnson I have argued that point with a ton of people on the blog but I guess the dome was a waste.
Amen Walter! The older I get the more I despise winter! It holds little if any redeeming value for me. However, the 80 mile snowmobile trip last weekend was a blast. I’d love to hear the crack of the bat outside right now!
jb,
That’s ok. A good frost kills the mosquito crop.
Can you imagine how an inside pitch would feel outside in this current weather. Oooooooooooouch
jimmy bee, like the first pitching wedge I shank in 45 degree weather in April!
Ryan’s strikeout record in beyond comprehension. 5700+ strikeouts. Second place is literally 1000 strikeouts behind. If a pitcher is good enough to average 200 K’s a year, it would take him 29 years to break that record.
I’m out everyone have a great evening
WordPress is acting up again…
Anyone ever read Nolan Ryan’s book “Kings of the Hill”? Good stuff.
Sorry about that Walter, didn’t see that I was posting as you
good day to you werbellik
Here’s an intriguing name: Ambiorix Burgos. He’s a free agent, released by the Mets. Had elbow surgery last year, got in 23 innings at the end of the year. Always had a big arm, 156 K’s in 160 career IP, always had control problems.
Would be cheap to sign to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. If healthy, he could be a RH reliever that Anderson might be able to harness into something pretty useful.
birdofprey,
I think there were some players out there that would have improved the team. Not superstars, but still improvements, and that is Smith’s job - to improve the team. So, I won’t cut him slack in that respect. However, I just feel that the FO doesn’t get enough credit for fielding a team that is “one good signing away” from being a powerhouse. The core of the team was gathered the way the Twins do business, and that has to get some credit.
Delmon will always be young, if that helps clarify things, or put things in the right context.
Takashi Saito is another intriguing name. I have no idea of his health, but if there’s a good chance he’ll be healthy sometime next year and would accept a cheap deal he’d be a welcome addition to the pen.
The FA relief pitcher crop is getting pretty thin.
Ambiorix Burgos
he’s in jail waiting for a couple of trials in his native Dominican Republic:
a. Domestic Violence
b. Vehicular homicide & hit and run
He has as much future in baseball as Plaxico Burress in football…
that said, one free agent (minor league) reliever they could go after is Tim Spooneybarger who at some point was practically unhittable both in the majors and minors and he is one and a half year removed from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries (Grant Balfour anyone?)
On the other hand, I’d rather see them give Delaney a chance to earn the job.
Well scratch that idea then.
Thanks Thrylos.
I made the commute home since my last post. I was driving past the Basilica where Carl Pohlad’s funeral was held today. As I drove by Reusse was talking about his attending the funeral and how all three Pohlad boys gave eulogies. Interesting.
Werbellik,
Not so unusual for funerals with famous people to have multiple eulogies.
Plus after 93 years, and 3.5 billion dollars… the man has influenced, and created an opinion in a lot of people…
I took LaVelle’s advice… I took a breath… and I also took a look at Joe C’s blog, and saw comments that made anything I said look minor at the least, but that being said… we all make mistakes, and now it’s time to try and make some changes in a lot of different areas.
I tried to rationalize it by how I am away from here, and on here… and realized it didn’t matter… if people only see one side… that’s all they can judge someone on, and I deserved a lot of what I got.
Well said BC. I’m an all star when it comes to rationalizing. In the grand book of rationalizing I’m chapter 4 I think. We’ll move forward from here and all eagerly await Opening Day!Take care.
BC B-Your attitude on any given day seems to set the tone for the level of civility or lack there of on this blog.Today everyone shared their ideas and there was no name calling!
Geno, I don’t think BCB is responsible for anyone’s attitudes or posts but his own. We can all choose to respond, or not, to others posts. I appreciate BCB taking responsibility for his own actions and would wish for all of us to do the same. Spirited discussion is fun and disagreement is welcome as long as it’s done with respect IMO.
werbellik,
While I am responsible for my own posts, I have often read another poster’s personal attack on someone and because I empathized with the victim, I responded with a blast at the attacker.
Was I responsible for my post?
Yes!
Was I detonated by the original attack?
You betcha!
sane, I think we’re in agreement for the most part. I have seen your responsive posts and think you are more often the voice of humor or sarcasm. If you’re getting detonated, your explosions must be controlled on some level. And, I like your “you betcha”…
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